Automatic electric switch or circuit-controlling mechanism for electric fluid-heaters



A. PAPINL AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC SWITCH 0R CBRCUIT CONTROLUNG MECHANISM FOR ELECTRIC FLUID HEATERS APPLICATION FILED JUNE I2, 1919.

Patented May 18, 1920.

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*' UNITED Sierras L raw-n Manama-1m .ANTONIO PAPINI, 0F PHILADELPHIA, EEl

COMPANY, OF PEILADELPHIA, PE1Q'NS SYLVANIA.

AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC SWITGH 01%, UlRO'UIT-GGJSTT' l. Prime A olication filed June 1:?L gerial Iti'o. iii? To all whom it may concern:

Be it known'that I, A1-zro1-uo Penn a Subject of the King of, Italy, having resided in the United States one year last past and having declared my intention of becoming a citizen thereof. and resid ig" in the city and county of Philad lphia, mate of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Automatic Electric Switch or Circuit- Controlling Mechanism for Electric Fluid- Heaters, at which the following is a specification.

My invention'relates to a novel c nstr" ction of an automatic electric switch! or automatic electric circuit closing and opening mechanism which in itsbroad aspects adapted to an electric heater for any fluid or liquid, as Water or the like, such switch or circuit controlling device being automatic in its operation, and serving, through the medium of the pressure'ot the water or other fluid entering the lower portion of the apparatus, to close the electric circuit, thereby causing the electric energy to'fiow through the resistance or heating; coil, whereby the water or other fluid i; heated, the breaking or opening of the circuit be ing automatically effected by. a tension device interposed between the fluid e ;tuatcd piston carrying the electrical contacts and the insulating top of the device.

It further consists of a novel construction of an electric Water heater,comprising a ing having inlet and outlet openings at th' lower and upper portions thereof, a heater portion therein, a piston in the casing adapted to travel upwardly under the pressure of the incoming water or other fluid to be heated which automatically effects the closing of the electric circuit, the heating of the water or other'fluid and the opening of the outlet opening therefor, means be ing provided for automatically actuating said pistonin reverse direction by a suit- 'able tension'device When the pressure of the Water at the inlet ceases or is released, whereupon the electric circuit is opened and the outlet from the casing is closed, whereby the fiuid or liquid heating means is ope'r ative only when the heating thereof is desired.

My invention further consists of a novel construction of a casing having a plurality of pistons therein, connected by common Specification of Letters Patent.

said pistons car lStiitIlCe coil, while to control interposed and the 'istrating my in -l the accolncao' in k I ,l l .l r: one ncreoit which 1s at presem preferred y me, since the same will give in practical sati actory and reliable results, aithowglw is U the various i invention cons and organized a ll ted in the pi gmnzation 1. h"; i

i lute,

ities of which my is can he variousl ('3 arran emem mncntahties as 'crtical sectional er to which certain of the uevatiou.

my in J parts he Fig.

5 rlesnenates which 153 secured Y the 7: 1 ices h,

'snilar first :trodes taoiy ing top T, which are ansion on movable inc springs 11 being common a", and tending to hold them upper ends 15 is composed of spark steel on platinum,'while the lower ends of said bushings 12, carry the insulated bushing nut 16.

17 designates a coil spring or similar tension device interposed between the bottom of the insulating top 7 and the top of the piston 13, it being understood that the latter may be provided with suitable packing or rings of any conventional type, which v deem .it unnecessary to describe in detail.

18 designates a piston rod depending from the piston 13 and having its lower end 19 secured to or within the apertured guide .piston 20, by. any suitable means, said latter piston being also provided with packing 21 of' any suitable construction. 22 designates an angular outlet passage or by-pass whose lower end 233 communicates withthe Water or fluid chamber at a point between the pistons 13 and 20 when the parts'are in the position seen in Fig. 1, while. its upper end 24 communicates with the outlet pipe 25, the inlet to the casing- 1 being in-- dicated at 26. I

27 designates electrical conductors which pass through the cover 5 and are electrically connected to the electrodes 9 in any suitable manner. The guide piston 20'is preferably formed with the openings 2Stherein, in

which the coil'springs 4 are located and'it will be evident that the pistons 13 and 20 move as a unit, and if desired could be built integral, but I preferably employ the construction seen in Fig. 1 for convenience in assembling.-

It will. be understood that suitable controlling mechanism will be employed at the inlet 26, for permitting or checking the inlet of the liquid or fluid to be heated and that the pistons 13 and 20 and their ad- -juncts'serve the dual function of both carrying and supporting the resistance cure and the contact pins 14, and also controlling the openings to the outlets 22 and 25, the outlet 25 being controlled by the, main or upper piston 13, and the inlet port 23 to the passage 22 being controlled by the lower piston20 having the packing 21 on its side which is'juxtaposed to the port 23.

The electrodes '9 and 10 are normally held in the position seen in Fig. 1 by reason of the springs 11, and in. case the lower or movable electrodes 10 are pushed upwardly, as 'will be hereinafter explained, the tension of the springs 11 will tend to restore the bottom or movable electrodes 10 to their 7' normal position seen in Fig. 1.

The operation is as follows The parts normally appear as seen in Fi 1.,

is the water or other liquid to be heated is admitted through the inlet 26, it will fill the bottom of the casing 1 around the hcat ing element 2, and a small portion of the incoming fluid will overflow through the passage 22 to the outlet pipe 25. The pres sure of the incoming fluid will elevate the piston 13 and the guide piston 20, and the top of the contacts 14, carriedby the piston 13 in its upward stroke will meet first the bottom of the expansion electrodes 10 making electric contact, thereby closing the circuit and allowing the current to flow "through the heating element or resistance coil 2.

As the piston 13 moves upwardly, it will uncover the inlet to the outlet pipe 25, and the heated water or other fluid can flow therefrom. The packing 21 will now close the port 23 of the overflow outlet 22, and heated water or other liquid will be delivered at 25." The movable electrodes 10 will accommodate themselves to the variations in the height or upward travel of the pistons due to the varying quantity of water dising the contacts, as is evident. When the inlet 26 is closed, the pressure below the piston 13 will cease 01' drop, and the tension of the spring 17 will overbalance it, pushing the pistons 13 and 20 down, breaking the contacts, and the pistons will resume the position seen in Fig. 1. the pis' ton 13 closing'the outlet passage 25, and the piston 20 being below the port 23.

' It will be apparent from the foregoing, that my invention is very economical in the use of electricity, since the electric circuit is closed only when it is desired to heat ther liquid or fluid contained in the lower portion of the casing 1, and when the inlet 20 is closed, the electric circuit is instantly and automatically broken,-so that there is no undue waste or expenditure of electricity involved.

It will be further apparent that my device is entirely automatic in its operation, the elevating or upward travel of the piston charged to suit requirement without break- 13 and its adjuncts being effected by the opening ofthe inlet passage'26, while the downward travel of the cally effected by the closing ofthe inlet 26' and the tension of the spring 17 or its equivalent.

While I have described by invention as being applicable to heating water, it will be apparent that any fluid-or liquid desired may be heated with equal economy and facility, and while I have described my novel circuit controlling mechanism as being especially adapted to an electric heater of .the general dfifizeter disclosed. it will be iston is automatiapparent that it can be et'ectively used with equal etliciency in other types of electrical and other apparatus without departing from the spirit oi my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is y 1. In a device of the character stated, a casing, means within said casing for effecting the closing of an electric circuit by the pressure of the incoming liquid to be heated; the contacts lor closing the electric circuit being so positioned as to be always out of contact with the incoming liquid, and spring actuated means for effecting the opening of said ciremit when the fiow ot' the incoming liquid is checked.

2. In a device of the character stated, a casing, means within said casing for effecting the closing oi": an electric circuit by the pressure of the incoming liquid to beheated, the contacts tor closing said circuit being so positioned that they are not immersed in the incoming liquid to be lieated, aml m ans for cifccting the automatic opening oi" sa d circuit when the flow of the incoming liquid is checked.

3. In a device of the cha acter stated, a casing having an inlet and an outlet, means contained within said casing for eti'ecting the closing of an electric circuit by the: pressure of the incoming liquid to be heated, said means controlling said outlet. and spring actuated means within said casing i'or eil'ectin the opening of said circuit when the {low oi said liquid is checked.

4. In a device of thcrharacter stated, a casing having an inlet and outlet, means within said casing for ellccting the: closing of an electric circuit by the pressure of an incoming liquid to be heated, said means controlling said outlet, and means within said casing tor effecting the automatic opening of said circuit when the [low oi" said liquid is checked In a device of the character stated. a casing, an insulating top therefor, telescopic electrodes mounted in said top, a piston in said casing, insulating sleeves in said piston, contacts located in said sleeves and in alinement with said electrodes, a resistance coil depending from said contactannd means inter 'iosed between said insulating top and piston For causing the latter to travel downward and open a circuit when the flow of the incoming liquid to be heated is checked.

(3. In a device oi the: character stated, a casing, an insulating top therefor, telesc'opic electrodes mounted in said top, a

piston in said casing, insulating sleeves in said piston, contacts located in said sleeves and in alinement with said electrodes, a resistance coil depending from said contacts, and an outlet from said casing controlled by said piston, the latter being moved upwardly to etl'ect the closing of the circuit by the pressure of the incoming liquid to be heated.

7. In a device of the character stated, a casing, an insulating top therefor, telescopic electrodes mounted in said top, a piston in said casing, insulating sleeves in said piston, contacts located in said sleeves and in alincmcnt with said electrodes, a resistance coil depending from said contacts, and an outlet from said casing controlled by said piston, the latter being moved upwardly to effect the closing of the circuit by the pressure of the incoming liquid to be heated, in combination with means for effecting the opening of said circuit when the pressure of the incoming liquid to be heated is checked.

8. In av device of the character stated, a casing, an insulating top therefor, telescopic electrodes mounted in said top, a main piston in said casing, insulating sleeves in said piston, contacts in said sleeves and in alinement with said electrodes, a resistance coil depending from said contacts, an outlet from said casing controlled by said main piston, a second piston located below said main pistonand movable in unison therewith, and a restricted passage leading from said asing to said outlet passage and controlled by said lower piston.

S). In a device Of the character stated, a casing, an insulating top therefor, telescopic electrodes mounted in said top, a main piston in said casing, insulating sleeves in said piston, contacts in said sleeves and in alinement with said electrodes, a resistance coil de 'iending from said contacts, an outlet from said casing controlled by said main piston, a second. piston located below said main piston and movable in unison th rcwith, and a restricted passage leading from said casing to said outlet passage .and controlled by said lower piston, in

combination with means'for causing said pistons to move downwardly when the flow of the incoming .liquid to be heated is checked.

10. In a device of the character stated, a casing, an insulating top therefor, telescopic electrodes mounted in said top, a main piston in said casing, insulating sleeves insaid piston, contacts in said sleeves and in alinement with said electrodes, a resistance coil depending from'said contacts, an outlet from said casing controlled by said main piston, a second piston located below said main piston and movable in .unison therewith, and a restricted passage leading tron") said casing to said outlet passage and controlled by. said lower piston, in combination with means for causing said pistons to automatically move downwardly and open said circuit when the flow of the incoming liquid is checked.

11. In a device of the character stated, a

' located below said main piston and movable casing, an insulating top therefor, telescopic electrodes mounted in said top, a piston in said casing, insulating sleeves in said piston, contacts in said sleeves and in alinement with said electrodes, a second piston 4 stricted outlet passage leading from said casing to said main outlet passage and controlled by'said lower piston, and a spring interposed between said insulating top and said main piston.

12 In a device of the character in said top, a iston in said casing, contacts carried by sai piston and aiming with said electrodes, a resistance coil connected tosaid contacts, and means for actuating said piston to open a. circuit when theflow of the incomin liquid to said casing is checked.

13. n a device of the character stated, a casing, an insulating top therefor, electrodes in said top, a aiston in said casing, contacts carried by sai piston and alining with said electrodes, a resistance coil connected with said contacts, an outlet from said casing controlled by said piston, and means intermediate said top and piston for actuating said piston to open the circuit when the flow of the incoming liquid is checked.

14. In a device of the character stated, a casing, an insulating top therefor, electrodes'in'said top, a piston in said casing, contacts carried bysaid piston, a resistance coil connected tosaid contacts, and a spring located between said top and piston.

15. In a device of the character stated, a casing, means therein for effecting the closing or an electric circuit by the pressure of the incoming fluid to be heated, a resistance coil carried by said means and movable therewith, and means within said casing for effecting the opening of said circuit when the flow of the incoming liquid is checked.

16. In a.device of the character stated, a casing, having, an inlet and outlet, an insulating top therefor, electrodes in said top, a main piston in said casing, contacts carried by said piston and alining -with said electrodes,a resistance coil connected to said contacts, said piston controlling said outlet,

and means for actuating said piston to' open the circuit, when the flow of the liquid to be heated is checked.

- 17. In a device of the cha acter stated, a. casing, having an inlet and outlet, an insulating top therefor, electrodes in said top, a main piston in said casing and controlling said outlet, contacts carried by said piston stated, acasing, an insulating top therefor, electrodes neuroses and in alinement with said electrodes a resistance coil connected to said contacts, a second piston below said. main piston and movable in unison therewith, and a restricted passage leading from said casing to said outlet passage and controlled by said lower piston.

18. In a device of the character stated, a casing, having an inlet and outlet, a piston therein carrying means within said casing for effecting the closing of an electric circuit by the pressure of the incoming liquid to be heated, a restricted passage leading from said casing to said outlet, and means carried by said piston for controlling said restricted passage.

19.'In a device of the character stated, a casing having an inlet and outlet, a piston therein carrying means within said casing for effecting the closing of an electric circuit, by the pressure of the incoming liquid to be heated, a restricted passage leading from said casing to said outlet, means carried by said piston for controlling said restricted passage, and a resistance coil also carried by said piston.

20. In a device of the character stated, a casing having an inlet and outlet, a piston therein carrying means within said casing for effecting the closing of an electric circuit, by the pressure of the incoming liquid to be heated, a restricted passage leading from said casing to said outlet, means carried by said piston for controlling said rest 'icted passage, and a resistance coil also carried by said piston, in combination with means for actuating said piston to open the circuit when the flow of the incoming liquid to be heated is checked.

21. In a device of the character stated, a casing, means within said casing for closing an electric circuit by the pressure of the incoming liquid. to be heated, said casing having an outlet passage controlled by said means, and a s )ring within said casingfor actuating said cirzuit closing means to open the circuit, when the flow of said incoming liquid is checked.

22' In a device oi the character stated, a casing, means within said casing for closing an electric circuit by the pressure of the incoming, liquid to be heated, said. casing having an outlet passage controlled. by said means, and a spring within said casing for actuating said. circuit closingmeans to open the circuit, when the flow ofsaid incoming liquid is checked, in combihation with a resistance coil carried by said circuit closing means.

ANTONIO PAPINI.

Witnesses A. OLLEY, H. A. Lama. 

